High Court nullifies Malur MLA Nanjegowda’s election, orders fresh counting within four weeks
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside the election of Congress MLA K.Y. Nanjegowda from the Malur Assembly constituency, directing the Election Commission of India to conduct a fresh vote count and declare the result within four weeks.
The order was passed by a single-judge bench of Justice R. Devdas while allowing an election petition filed by BJP candidate K.S. Manjunath Gowda, who had challenged Nanjegowda’s victory in the last Assembly polls. The petitioner alleged irregularities and lapses in the counting process, seeking annulment of the declared result.
The court also instructed former Kolar District Election Officer Venkataraju to clarify whether the hard disk containing video footage of the counting process, reportedly with IKEA Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd., had been secured. A certificate on this matter must be submitted to the court. A detailed copy of the judgment is awaited.
Meanwhile, Nanjegowda’s counsel sought time to appeal the order before the Supreme Court. Granting this request, the High Court stayed its own directive for 30 days, allowing the MLA to challenge the ruling before the apex court.
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Karnataka, France explore deeper ties in AI, aerospace, defence manufacturing
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government and France on Tuesday discussed expanding collaboration to strengthen technology infrastructure and development, artificial intelligence, and defence manufacturing.
Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge met Anne Le Hénaff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Government of France, in Bengaluru.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in innovation, skilling, AI, aerospace and defence manufacturing, startup ecosystems and digital governance, with both sides expressing strong interest in building long-term, structured partnerships between Karnataka and France, according to a statement issued by Kharge’s office.
France highlighted its growing need for skilled engineers and technology professionals and expressed interest in partnering with Karnataka on structured talent development and skilling in emerging technologies, the statement said.
“The discussions built on the strong foundation of Indo-French collaboration in areas such as aerospace, animation and emerging technologies, including earlier engagements through Centres of Excellence, academic partnerships and startup exchange programmes,” it said.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing engagement with French innovation ecosystems and institutions, including incubation and innovation platforms in Paris.
Kharge outlined Karnataka’s vision to create dedicated innovation, skills and manufacturing corridors with global partners, particularly in the context of the Indo-French Year of Innovation.
He highlighted the state’s proposal to strengthen engagement through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) and to establish a physical institutional platform in Karnataka to support French startups, SMEs and MSMEs seeking market access, R&D collaboration and a long-term presence in India.
“A couple of areas where we can move quickly and decisively are skills, innovation and advanced manufacturing. We can work towards a skills corridor focused on emerging technologies, an innovation corridor linking our Centres of Excellence, incubators and research institutions, and a stronger partnership in aerospace and defence supply chains,” Kharge said.
“Bengaluru can be a gateway for French companies entering India, and Paris can be a gateway for our startups entering France and the European Union,” he added.
Hénaff said France’s approach to AI is guided by three priorities: building sustainable AI, ensuring AI serves the public interest, and strengthening the protection of children in the digital world.
“As we deepen our cooperation with Karnataka, we see strong opportunities to work together on responsible, trustworthy and inclusive AI by combining innovation, regulation and public policy to ensure technology benefits society while safeguarding our values,” she said.
